Taking Lady Bug2 Out
Our day finally came! We moved Lady Bug2 for the first time since we had her! It was really exciting! She drove like a champ. We didn't have any problems or issues. We stayed out cruising for about 2 hours. For us it was next level, another aspect of lake life that we had not yet experienced. Sure, we go out on the pontoon, but it does not compare to the experience you get with being out in a houseboat. Our boat friend Rob drove the boat, he also beached the boat, which was kind of cool. Beaching is when you literally drive your boat onto an island with a sandy beach. There is a method to it, he showed Bruce how to do it.
Since our first outing, me and the hubby have gone out alone, which is pretty cool. He is learning how to maneuver the boat; we typically go out early before all the traffic is on the water. The only problem we are running into is that it's HARD to park the boat at the dock. My husband is new to this, its gonna take alot of practice. Luckily we have boat friends that don't mind helping him out.
She so hard to park!! Gonna take a few times!
You will find that when you get a boat it is important to know someone that has knowledge of boats. They don't have to necessarily be a mechanic, just having boat knowledge goes a long way. Its also good to have another man onboard. It's easy for me to be 1st Mate on the pontoon, but not so much on the houseboat, it's too big. Luckily one of our sons has been there most of the times we've taken her out. He can help maneuver the boat into the slip.
We've also learned that we can not take her out in windy conditions. It's important as a captain to know the wind conditions. If the wind speed is 10mph or more, we won't take the houseboat out. My hubby will continue to get comfortable with her out on the water with the rest of the season we have left. If we have any good days during the fall/winter season we may take her out..doesn't matter if it's cold, it's the wind that matters. Hopefully next summer we will have the generator running and will be able to beach her at an island for the weekend! That's next on the to do list, lol!!
